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Crisp back in lineup to be A's 'impact guy'

4/29/13: Coco Crisp is forced to exit the game after pulling up running down the line on a grounder in the bottom of the 13th

By Jane Lee
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MLB.com |

OAKLAND -- The A's got their leadoff man back for Wednesday's series finale with the Rangers, activating speedster Coco Crisp from the disabled list.

Crisp, who was sidelined by a left hamstring strain, was immediately inserted into the lineup, giving the A's the sparkplug they've been missing over a grueling couple of weeks.

"We always feel good when Coco's in the lineup," manager Bob Melvin said. "We play a little differently when he's not in there. Not only is he an impact guy for us, he gets clutch hits for us. He really is kind of that guy that starts the engine."

Crisp is responsible for eight of the club's 26 stolen bases on the season, and the A's are 15-11 when he is in the lineup, compared to 5-10 in games he doesn't start.

Come Friday, the A's could potentially also regain Chris Young, who is on the mend from a left quad strain. Young rejoined the club on Wednesday after playing in rehab games in Arizona on Monday and Tuesday, and he was scheduled to play for Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.